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The battle for the Knicks’ final roster spot lost a candidate.
Drew Eubanks, a veteran center, suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will be waived by New York, a source confirmed Thursday morning.
Eubanks was among three centers on non-guaranteed deals in training camp, joining James Wiseman and Tony Bradley. As The Post reported a couple weeks ago, Wiseman was the early frontrunner to secure the 14th roster spot. His play recently — he scored 18 points with 10 rebounds in Tuesday’s loss to Toronto — seemed to only bolster his case.
Coach Mike Brown outlined what he wants from the winner of the competition.
“We just hope that there’s a passion and an energy and a focus coming from that spot because, I’m sure at times that person will start, at times they may be the first backup and at times they may be second backup,” Brown said. “So as the minutes are fluctuating, you’re going to have to generate some internal energy at times, to go play in a low-minute game.
“Sometimes he’ll maybe not play one or two, maybe three games in a row. You look for that, and then you know, you just look for somebody that’s going to play hard at the end of the day – try to do the things that you’re asking on both sides of the floor. And bring a little something different than what the two guys in front of you bring.”
Eubanks, 29, was the most experienced of the candidates with eight NBA seasons under his belt, including last season with the Sacramento Kings.
During Tuesday’s loss in Toronto, he played 15 minutes with eight points and two boards.
The Knicks can only keep one more player and stay under the second apron. They also have veteran guard Bruce Brown on a nonguaranteed deal in training camp but have prioritized a center.
To keep Brown, the Knicks would have to unload salary in a trade.